CN115244337A

CN115244337A - Kitchen exhaust system and method for removing grease from grease-containing steam

Info

Publication number: CN115244337A
Application number: CN202180018238.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 杰弗瑞·艾伦·泰勒
Original assignee: Jie FuruiAilunTaile
Current assignee: Jie FuruiAilunTaile
Priority date: 2020-01-29
Filing date: 2021-01-26
Publication date: 2022-10-25
Also published as: EP4097399A4; WO2021154685A1; US20230061986A1; EP4097399A1

Abstract

A galley exhaust system includes a hood, a steam channel, a cool air intake system configured to generate cool air, and a mixing chamber. The hood is configured to collect grease-containing vapor from the cooking area. The mixing chamber is fluidly coupled to the hood through the vapor passage to receive the grease containing vapor from the cooking area and fluidly coupled to the cold air intake system to receive cold air generated by the cold air intake system. The mixing chamber has one or more walls, a grease discharge port, and a steam vent. The one or more walls are positioned in the mixing chamber so as to create a turbulent flow of air flow formed by the cold air and the grease-containing vapor. The turbulence of the cool air and air flow separates at least a portion of the grease from the grease-containing vapor.

Description

Kitchen exhaust system and method for removing grease from grease-containing steam

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/967,153, filed on 29/1/2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

Background

Many kitchens, especially commercial kitchens, include an exhaust system to remove oily fats and oil-containing steam from the cooking area and kitchen. In conventional exhaust systems, vapors containing oily fats and oils are released into the air at an exhaust fan for the exhaust system. The vapor containing the oil fat and oil is then dispersed into the environment. Oil fats and oils may also accumulate around the exhaust fan, creating slippery and damaging conditions on the building surrounding the exhaust fan. Grease may also be flushed from the roof by rain and melting snow or ice, thereby introducing grease into the environment.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a galley exhaust system and method for removing grease from grease-containing vapors. In an embodiment, a galley exhaust system includes a housing at least partially defining a mixing chamber. The housing includes a steam inlet port adapted to be fluidly coupled to a hood that collects grease containing vapors from a cooking area to effectively receive grease containing vapors therefrom. The housing further includes a cold air inlet adapted to be fluidly coupled to a cold air induction system that generates cold air to efficiently receive the cold air generated by the cold air induction system. The housing also includes one or more walls positioned to create turbulence of the air flow formed by the cool air and the grease-containing vapor. The turbulence of the cool air and air flow separates at least a portion of the grease from the grease-containing vapor. The housing also includes a drain positioned at a bottom region of the mixing chamber to collect a portion of the grease separated from the grease-containing vapor. The housing also includes a steam vent positioned at a top region of the mixing chamber distal from the bottom region to allow steam from which at least a portion of the grease has been removed to exit the mixing chamber.

In an embodiment, a method of separating grease from grease containing vapor includes introducing grease containing vapor from a cooking area into a mixing chamber at least partially defined by a housing. The method also includes introducing cold air generated by the cold air introduction system into the mixing chamber. The method also includes separating the grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the mixing chamber with one or more walls in the mixing chamber of the air flow formed by the cool air and the grease-containing vapor. The method also includes collecting at least a portion of the grease separated from the grease-containing vapor in a collection bin below a drain at a bottom region of the mixing chamber. The method further includes venting the vapor from which at least a portion of the grease has been removed through a vapor vent in the mixing chamber.

Features from any of the disclosed embodiments may be used in combination with each other without limitation. Furthermore, other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Drawings

The drawings illustrate several embodiments of the disclosure, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements or features in different views or embodiments shown in the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a galley exhaust system according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2A is a side view of a hood portion of a kitchen exhaust system according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2B is a top view of a galley exhaust system according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3A-3F are views of a galley exhaust system according to an embodiment.

Fig. 4A-4H are views of a galley exhaust system, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 5A-5B are views of a galley exhaust system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method of separating grease from a grease-containing vapor according to an embodiment.

Detailed Description

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a galley exhaust system and a method of separating grease from grease-containing vapors with a galley exhaust system. The galley exhaust system and method of operation described herein removes significant amounts of fats and oils from the steam before the steam exits the system through the exhaust fan. The galley exhaust system and method of operation described herein then substantially reduces or eliminates the release of fat and oil containing steam into the environment and creates slippery and damaging conditions on the building surrounding the exhaust fan. Because the fats and oils on the roof can also be washed away from the roof by rain and melting snow or ice, removing the fats and oils from the steam mitigates the introduction of fats and oils into streams and rivers via storm drains. The fat and oil removed from the steam may be collected in many of the galley exhaust systems described herein, allowing the collected fat and oil to be recycled. The fats and oils removed from the steam may include any fats and oils common in cooking processes, such as saturated fats, unsaturated fats (monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats), trans fats, and the like. Fats and oils common to the cooking process are collectively referred to herein as "grease".

In some embodiments, the galley exhaust system includes a cool air intake system, a mixing chamber, a grease collection bin, and an exhaust fan. Some galley exhaust systems may include a hood configured to collect steam (including grease-containing steam) from a cooking area. The mixing chamber is in fluid communication with both the hood and the cool air intake system. The kitchen exhaust system further includes a grease collection tank located at the bottom of the mixing chamber. A suction or discharge port may fluidly couple the collection tank with the mixing chamber.

The cold air introduction system is configured to introduce cold or cooled air into the mixing chamber. The cold air introduction system includes a cooling unit configured to cool and/or regulate a temperature of the cold air introduced into the mixing chamber. For example, the cold air introduced into the mixing chamber by the cold air introduction system may be at-5 ℃ to 5 ℃. The cool air introduced into the mixing chamber by the cool air introduction system may be post-filtered and post-pressurized cool air. That is, the cool air introduced into the mixing chamber by the cool air introduction system is not pre-filtered and pre-pressurized air. The cold air intake system may be retrofitted to pre-existing galley exhaust systems.

In operation, the grease-containing vapors may be drawn into the mixing chamber through the hood. One or more fans may direct the grease containing vapor from the hood into a mixing chamber of the kitchen exhaust system. Upon activation, the cold air intake system introduces cold air into the mixing chamber. One or more walls are positioned in or at least partially define the mixing chamber to increase turbulence of the air flow in the mixing chamber. The turbulent flow of the air flow in the mixing chamber allows for more efficient mixing of the cold air and the grease containing vapor. When the cold air is mixed with the grease-containing vapor in the mixing chamber, the grease in the grease-containing vapor in the mixing chamber cools and drips from the air stream to the bottom of the mixing chamber. Grease separated from the steam in the air stream passes through a suction or discharge opening at the bottom of the mixing chamber to a grease collection bin. In some embodiments, one or more (e.g., all) of the interior surfaces of the mixing chamber may be coated with a friction reducing material (such as teflon or the like) or a grease repellant to inhibit grease from sticking to the one or more interior surfaces of the mixing chamber and to promote movement of the grease to the drain. The grease collection tank may be removed for environmentally disposing of grease or for reuse of grease. The remaining steam exits through the exhaust fan.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a galley exhaust system 100 according to an embodiment, the galley exhaust system 100 including a hood 105, a housing 123, a steam intake port 112, a steam channel 110, a cool air induction system 115, a cool air channel 120, a vent 135, and an exhaust channel 145; the housing 123 at least partially defines a mixing chamber 125 and has a cool air intake port 122; the steam channel 110 provides fluid communication between the shroud 105 and the mixing chamber 125 through the steam inlet port 112; the cool air channel 120 provides fluid communication between the cool air induction system 115 and the mixing chamber 125 through the cool air intake port 122; discharge port 135 is in mixing chamber 125; the vent passage 145 is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber 125. The hood 105 may comprise any of a number of different hoods used in galley exhaust systems. The hood 105 is generally positioned over the cooking area to collect vapors, such as grease-containing vapors 160, formed during cooking. The steam channel 110 extends between the mixing chamber 125 and the shroud 105 to provide fluid communication between the shroud 105 and the mixing chamber 125. Steam channel 110 may include any of a number of different steam channels used in galley exhaust systems. Although not shown in fig. 1, the galley exhaust system 100 may include one or more fans in the hood 105 or steam channel 110. One or more fans may be configured to draw steam (such as grease-containing steam 160, etc.) from the cooking area into the hood 105 and direct the steam through the steam channel 110 into the mixing chamber 125.

The cold air intake system 115 is positioned to force cold air 170 into the mixing chamber 125 through the cold air channel 120 and the cold air intake port 122. The cool air passage 120 is positioned outside the mixing chamber 125. Although shown in fig. 1 as a single cool air induction system 115, the galley exhaust system may include multiple cool air induction systems 115. The cold air intake system 115 and the cold air channel 120 may be configured to retrofit to a pre-existing galley exhaust system that includes the hood 105 and the exhaust channel 145. The cold air introduction system 115 includes a cooling unit configured to cool and/or regulate the temperature of the cold air 170 introduced into the mixing chamber 125. The cool air 170 introduced into the mixing chamber 125 by the cool air introduction system 115 may be post-filtered and post-pressurized cool air. That is, the cool air 170 introduced into the mixing chamber 125 by the cool air introduction system 115 is not pre-filtered air and pre-pressurized air. Although shown above the steam channel 110 and the hood 105 in fig. 1, the cold air introduction system 115 and the cold air channel 110 may be positioned elsewhere with respect to the steam channel 110. For example, the cold air channel 115 may be positioned to direct the cold air 170 into a mixing chamber opposite the steam channel 110.

The cold air intake system 115 may be configured to direct cold air 170 into the mixing chamber 125 at a predetermined cubic feet per minute (CFM). The CFM of the cool air 170 introduced into the mixing chamber 125 may vary depending on the size of the hood and the type of cooking device. For example, a larger sized shroud may require a larger CFM than a smaller sized shroud. In some embodiments, the CFM of the cool air 170 flowing into the mixing chamber 125 may vary depending on the temperature of the grease vapor 160 or the volume of grease in the grease-containing vapor. The cold air induction system 115 may include a controller 117, the controller 117 configured to allow selection of a CFM of the cold air 170, and direct the cooling units in the cold air induction system 115 to generate the cold air 170 at the selected CFM. The vapor channel 110 can include one or more sensors 111, the one or more sensors 111 being coupled to the controller 117, either wired or wirelessly, and configured to detect at least one of a temperature of the grease containing vapor 160 or a volume of grease in the grease containing vapor 160. The controller 117 may then determine the CFM of the cold air 170 based on at least one of the temperature of the grease-containing vapor 160 or the volume of grease in the grease-containing vapor.

The temperature of the cold air 170 introduced into the mixing chamber can be from about-30 ℃ to about 20 ℃, from about-20 ℃ to about-15 ℃, from about-15 ℃ to about-10 ℃, from about-10 ℃ to about-5 ℃, from about-5 ℃ to about 0 ℃, from about 0 ℃ to about 5 ℃, from about 5 ℃ to about 10 ℃, from about 10 ℃ to about 15 ℃, less than about 10 ℃, less than about 5 ℃, less than about 0 ℃, less than about-5 ℃, less than about-10 ℃, less than about-15 ℃, less than about-20 ℃, less than about-25 ℃, less than about-30 ℃, about-25 ℃, about-20 ℃, about-15 ℃, about-10 ℃, about-5 ℃, about 0 ℃, about 5 ℃, about 10 ℃, about 15 ℃, or about 20 ℃.

In some embodiments, the cold air induction system 115 is configured to generate a selected temperature of the cold air 170. For example, different temperatures may be more advantageous for removing grease from a particular grease-containing vapor 160 or for removing different volumes of grease from an anticipated grease-containing vapor 160. The selected temperature may include any of the ranges or temperatures of the cool air 170 described above. In some embodiments, the controller 117 is configured to allow selection of a selected temperature of the cool air 170 and direct the cool air to a cooling unit in the system 115 to generate the selected temperature of the cool air 170. The controller 117 may be configured to automatically select the temperature of the cold air 170 based on the temperature or volume of grease in the grease containing vapor 160 sensed by the vapor channel 110 or the sensor 111 in the hood 105.

A mixing chamber 125 defined at least in part by a housing 123 is positioned to receive cold air 170 from the cold air intake system 115 through the cold air intake port 122 and grease-containing vapor 160 from the hood 105 through the vapor intake port 112. For example, the mixing chamber 125 may be positioned on the side of the shroud 105, behind the shroud 105, or above the shroud 105. The housing 123 may include and/or define a vent 135 at a bottom region of the mixing chamber 125 and a vent opening 142 at a top region of the mixing chamber 125. The housing 123 at least partially defining the mixing chamber 125 may be configured to be re-mated with at least one of the hood 105, the steam channel 110, or the exhaust channel 145 in a pre-existing galley exhaust system. For example, the vapor inlet port 112 of the mixing chamber 125 may be positioned in alignment with the vapor passage 110, and the exhaust opening 142 may be positioned in alignment with the exhaust passage 145. To meet local code requirements, the mixing chamber 125 may be watertight and continuously welded to the steam channel 110, the cool air channel 120, the vent channel 145, and the vent 135.

The mixing chamber 125 is further configured to mix the cold air 170 with the grease containing vapor 160 to remove at least a portion of the grease 180 from the grease containing vapor 160. Mixing the cold air 170 with the grease containing vapor 160 lowers the temperature of the grease containing vapor such that at least a portion of the grease in the grease containing vapor cools and falls from the vapor. In some embodiments, at least about 95%, at least about 90%, at least about 80%, at least about 70%, at least about 60%, or at least about 50% of the grease-containing vapor 160 may be removed before the vapor 190 exits the mixing chamber 125. The steam 190 exiting the mixing chamber 125 may be cooled to less than about 25 ℃, less than about 20 ℃, less than about 15 ℃, less than about 10 ℃, or less than about 5 ℃ before exiting the mixing chamber 125 through the exhaust opening 142.

The mixing chamber 125 may include one or more features to increase air turbulence within the mixing chamber 125. As the air turbulence within the mixing chamber 125 increases, the grease in the grease-containing vapor 160 is more likely to separate from the vapor and collect in the mixing chamber 125. Features for increasing air turbulence may include one or more walls strategically positioned in the mixing chamber 125 to increase air turbulence. For example, the housing 123 may include a funnel-shaped wall 133 on one or more (e.g., both) of the cool air intake port 122 and the vapor intake port 112. The funnel wall 133 may extend at least partially into the mixing chamber 125. The funnel shaped wall 133 increases the CFM of the grease-containing vapor 160 or cold air 170 entering the mixing chamber 125, which in turn increases the turbulence of the air flow in the mixing chamber 125. The funnel shaped walls 133 may narrow the diameter of the cold air intake port 122 and/or the vapor intake port 112 by angling toward each other.

The housing 123 may also include one or more walls 130c secured to the side walls of the housing 123 to extend into the mixing chamber 125. For example, one or more walls 130c may be secured to a side wall of the housing 123 that is generally opposite or remote from one or more (e.g., two) of the cold air intake ports 122 and/or the vapor intake ports 112. One or more walls 130c may include a face or surface oriented at least partially toward cold air intake port 122 and/or vapor intake port 112. In some embodiments, the housing 123 may include: (1) A wall secured to the housing 123, generally aligned away from and with the flow of the cold air 170, and having a face generally oriented toward the steam intake port 112, the cold air 170 flowing through the cold air intake port 122 into the mixing chamber; and (2) a wall secured to the housing 123, generally aligned with and distal from the flow of grease-laden vapor 160 and having a face generally oriented toward the cold air intake port 122, the flow of grease-laden vapor 160 entering the mixing chamber 125 through the vapor intake port 112. These walls may direct the cold air 170 and the grease-containing vapor 160 toward each other to effectively create turbulence and/or mixing of the cold air 170 and the grease-containing vapor 160.

In some embodiments, one or more walls 130d are positioned within the mixing chamber 125 to direct the cold air 170 from the cold air intake port 122 toward the grease-containing vapor 160 entering the mixing chamber 125 from the vapor channel 110. One or more walls 130d may be positioned in the mixing chamber 125 between the cold air intake port 122 and a side wall of the housing 123 distal from the cold air intake port 122. In some embodiments, one or more walls 130d may include a face directed toward vapor intake port 122. In some embodiments, the one or more walls 130d can include a first face that is generally perpendicular to the cold air intake port 122 and a second face that is generally oriented toward the vapor intake port 112 to effectively direct the cold air 170 entering the mixing chamber 125 toward the grease-containing vapor 160 entering the mixing chamber. In some embodiments, the galley exhaust system 100 may include a wall 130c aligned with the flow of air entering the mixing chamber 125 through the vapor intake port 112, the wall 130c being secured to a side wall and having a face oriented toward a wall 130d, the wall 130d being positioned in the mixing chamber 125 to align with the flow of cool air 170 entering the mixing chamber 125 through the cool air intake port 122.

The housing 123 may include a sloped or tapered bottom at a bottom region of the mixing chamber 125 that directs the grease 180 separated from the grease-containing vapor 160 to the drain 135. The drain 135 may be positioned at the bottom of the mixing chamber 125 and include one or more openings in the housing 123 sized to allow the grease 180 to exit the mixing chamber 125. At least a portion of the passage 137 of the drain 135 between the drain 135 and the grease collection bin 140 may be heated to promote the flow of grease to the grease collection bin 140. The housing 123 also includes an exhaust opening 142 on a top or side wall of the mixing chamber 125. The vent openings 142 are positioned to allow the steam 190 from which at least a portion of the grease 180 has been removed to exit the mixing chamber 125. In some embodiments, the housing 123 includes one or more inner surfaces coated with or including at least one of a grease-draining agent or a friction-reducing material (such as teflon or the like). The grease-displacing agent or friction-reducing material may inhibit grease from sticking to one or more interior surfaces of mixing chamber 125 and facilitate movement of grease to drain 135.

The galley exhaust system 100 may also include one or more heating elements 195 secured to one or more walls of the housing 123 that at least partially define the mixing chamber 125. The one or more heating elements 195 are configured to keep grease removed from the grease-containing vapor moving to the drain 135, rather than solidifying on one or more walls of the housing 123. For example, in the galley exhaust system 100 shown in fig. 1, the heating elements 195 are secured to the side walls and the sloped bottom of the housing 123. The heating element 195 may comprise a hot water jacket secured to one or more walls of the housing 123.

The galley exhaust system 100 may also include a grease collection bin 140, the grease collection bin 140 being in fluid communication with the mixing chamber 125 through at least one of the drain 135 and the passage 137. The grease gathering bin 140 may be removably secured to the drain 135, thereby allowing the grease gathering bin 140 to be replaced with a different grease gathering bin. The grease collected in the grease collection bin 140 may be extracted for fat and reused instead of being dispersed into the air along with other steam.

The galley exhaust system 100 may also include an exhaust passage 145, the exhaust passage 145 being in fluid communication with the mixing chamber 125 through the exhaust opening 142. An exhaust fan 150 may be connected to the exhaust passage 145 to draw the steam 190 from the mixing chamber 125 that has removed at least a portion of the grease. The exhaust fan 150 may be positioned outside of a building, such as a roof or exterior wall.

Fig. 2A is a side view of the hood 105 of the galley exhaust system 200 according to an embodiment, and fig. 2B is a top view of the mixing chamber 225 of the galley exhaust system 200 according to an embodiment. Unless otherwise indicated, galley exhaust system 200 may include any of the features or elements of galley exhaust system 100 described above, such as hood 105, cool air induction system 110, vent 135, controller 117 (not shown), grease collection bin (not shown), exhaust channel 145 (not shown), or exhaust fan 150 (not shown). To meet local code requirements, the mixing chamber 225 may be watertight and continuously welded to the steam channel 210, the cool air channel 220, the vent channel 145, and the vent 135.

Referring to fig. 2A, the galley exhaust system 200 includes a steam channel 210, the steam channel 210 extending between the hood 105 and the mixing chamber 225 and configured to provide fluid communication between the hood 105 and the mixing chamber 225, thereby allowing the grease-containing steam 160 collected in the hood 105 to pass to the mixing chamber 225. The galley exhaust system 200 also includes a cool air passage 220, the cool air passage 220 configured to provide fluid communication between the cool air intake system 115 and the mixing chamber 225. The cool air passage 220 is positioned outside the mixing chamber 225.

Referring to fig. 2B, the mixing chamber 225 is configured to mix the grease containing vapor 160 with the cold air 170 to produce a combined cold air 170 and grease containing vapor air flow 275 through the mixing chamber 225. The mixing chamber 225 includes a plurality of inner walls 230, the plurality of inner walls 230 positioned to direct the air flow 275 in the mixing chamber 225 and increase turbulence and turns 265 in the air flow 275. The turn 265 in the air flow 275 creates a centripetal force that causes the cooled heavier grease particles in the grease-containing vapor 160 in the air flow 275 to fall or separate from the air flow 275. In the embodiment shown in fig. 2B, a plurality of inner walls 230 are positioned in the mixing chamber 225 to create

turns

265a, 265B, 265c, 265d, 265e, 265f, 265g in the air flow 275. Each

turn

265a, 265b, 265c, 265d, 265e, 265f, 265g in the air flow 275 promotes separation of grease from the air flow 275 to collect in the drain 135 of the mixing chamber 225. One or more interior walls may also be positioned in a conical configuration to increase the velocity of the air flow 275 through the mixing chamber 275 prior to the turn 265.

The mixing chamber 225 may also include one or more funnel-shaped walls 233 to increase the CFM of the grease-containing vapor 160, cold air 170, or air flow 275. For example, the funnel wall 233 may be positioned at least one outlet of the steam channel 210 or the cool air channel 220. One or more funnel-shaped walls 233 may also be positioned in at least one opening formed between the two inner walls 230.

The mixing chamber 225 may also include one or more fins (air foils) 255 located in the mixing chamber 225. Each of the one or more fins 255 is configured to accelerate the air flow 275 on one side of the fin 255 and decelerate the air flow 275 on the other side of the fin 255 to promote separation of grease from the air flow 275. For example, the mixing chamber 225 includes a first fin 255a positioned in the air flow 275 between the first turn 265a and both the steam channel 210 and the cool air channel 220. The mixing chamber 225 also includes a second fin 255b positioned in the air flow 275 between the first turn 265a and the second turn 265 b. Other fins 255 may be positioned at other areas in the air flow 275 generated in the mixing chamber 225. The mixing chamber 225 may also include a cylinder 285, the cylinder 285 positioned in the air flow 275 to divert the air flow 275 and create additional centripetal force on the grease in the air flow 275.

Galley exhaust system 200 also includes an additional cool air channel 222, and additional cool air channel 222 provides an additional cool air inlet into mixing chamber 225. An additional cool air passage 222 is fluidly coupled to the cool air passage 220 to receive the cool air 170 generated by the cool air intake system 115. In other embodiments, an additional cool air induction system may generate cool air 170, which cool air 170 passes through an additional cool air channel 222 into the mixing chamber 225 at a different region than the cool air channel 210. As the air flow 275 progresses through the elongated airflow path in the mixing chamber 225 formed by the plurality of inner walls 230, the temperature of the air flow 275 may increase. The introduction of cool air at one or more additional regions in the mixing chamber 225 may cool the air stream to a more desirable temperature for separating grease from the air stream 275.

As the grease separates from the air flow 275, the grease may fall to the bottom of the mixing chamber 225 for collection. Although not shown in the top view of fig. 2B, the mixing chamber 225 may include a tapered or sloped bottom that directs grease separated from the air flow 275 to a drain.

Fig. 3A-3F are views of a galley exhaust system 300 according to an embodiment. Specifically, fig. 3A is a front isometric view, fig. 3B is a front isometric view with a front wall of housing 123 removed, fig. 3C is a side view of galley exhaust system 300, fig. 3D is a cross-sectional view of galley exhaust system 300 taken along line 3D-3D in fig. 3C, fig. 3E is a front view of galley exhaust system 300, and fig. 3F is a top view of galley exhaust system 300. Although not shown in fig. 3A-3F, the galley exhaust system 300 may include one or more (e.g., all) of the hood 105, the steam channel 110, the sensor 111, the cold air induction system 115, the controller 117, the cold air channel 120, the exhaust channel 145, and/or the exhaust fan 150. The galley exhaust system 300 may be used or adapted for use with one or more (e.g., all) of the hood 105, the steam channel 110, the exhaust channel 145, and/or the exhaust fan 150. Unless otherwise indicated, galley exhaust system 300 may include any aspect of

galley exhaust systems

100, 200, such as materials, components, reference temperatures, reference CFMs, and the like.

Turning specifically to fig. 3A, galley exhaust system 300 includes a housing 323, a cool air intake port 322, an exhaust opening 342, and a discharge outlet 335; the housing 323 has a steam inlet port 312 configured to fluidly connect the housing 323 with the hood 105 in a cooking or kitchen area; the cool air intake port 322 is configured to fluidly connect the housing 323 with the cool air intake system 115; exhaust opening 342 is at a top region of housing 323; the discharge 335 is at a bottom region of the housing 323 away from the exhaust opening 342. The housing 323 may also include one or more purge hatches 341 positioned on a side wall or front wall of the housing 323, the purge hatches 341 allowing cleaning of the interior of the housing 323.

Turning to fig. 3B, the housing 323 can at least partially define a mixing chamber 325, the mixing chamber 325 receiving the grease containing vapor through the vapor inlet port 312 and the cold air through the cold air inlet port 322. In some embodiments, the housing 323 includes a central wall 331 that extends at least partially between a top region of the mixing chamber 325 and a bottom region of the mixing chamber 325. The central wall 331 may be secured to a top wall of the housing 323 and a bottom wall of the housing 323, and/or to a front or rear wall of the housing 323. In some embodiments, the central wall 331 separates the first portion 325a of the mixing chamber 325 from the second portion 325b of the mixing chamber 325. The central wall 331 may also at least partially define an opening 334, the opening 334 providing fluid communication between the first portion 325a and the second portion 325b of the mixing chamber 325. In some embodiments, both the steam intake port 312 and the cold air intake port 322 are positioned or connected to the first portion 325a and the top region of the mixing chamber 325. Steam vent opening 342 may be positioned in or connected to second portion 325b of mixing chamber 325 and the top region.

The discharge 335 may be positioned in the first portion 325a and the bottom region of the mixing chamber 325. The bottom wall of the housing 323 can slope from the second portion 325b of the mixing chamber 325 to the drain 335 in the first portion 325a of the mixing chamber 325. In some embodiments, a gap or space exists between the bottom wall of the housing 323 and the central wall 331 to allow grease collected in the second portion 325b to slide over the first portion 325a of the mixing chamber 325 to the drain 335. In some embodiments, a different vent 335 for each of the first portion 325a and the second portion 325b of the mixing chamber 325 is positioned on the bottom wall, wherein the bottom wall of the housing 323 is sloped to each different vent 335.

Galley exhaust system 300 includes one or more walls positioned to create turbulence in the air flow formed by the cool air and grease-containing vapor entering mixing chamber 325. In some embodiments, the one or more walls include at least wall 333 extending from central wall 331 into first portion 325a of chamber 325. The wall 333 may include a first region 333a, the first region 333a including a face oriented at least partially toward a top region of the first portion 325a and/or the cold air intake port 322 and the vapor intake port 322. For example, when the first zone 333a extends into the first portion 325a of the mixing chamber 325, the first zone 333a may be connected to the central wall 331 and may angle downward from the central wall 331 toward the discharge outlet 335. Wall 333 may include a second region 333b extending from first region 333a of wall 333 toward drain 335 in first portion 325a of mixing chamber 325. The second region 333b can be substantially planar and/or parallel to the central wall 331 or the side wall 302. Wall 333 may include a third zone extending from second zone 333b at least partially into second portion 325b of mixing chamber 325. In some embodiments, the third region 333c of the wall 333 can be connected to or extend from the second region 333b at the region of the second region 333b, the region of the second region 333b being between the first region 333a of the wall 333 and a terminal or distal end of the second region 333b. The third zone 333c of the wall 333 can be arcuate and/or angled as the third zone 333c extends from the second zone 333b of the wall 333 through the opening 3334 and into the second portion 325b of the mixing chamber 325. In some embodiments, the third zone 333c can include a face oriented toward a bottom region of the first portion 325a and/or the second portion 325b of the mixing chamber 325.

In some embodiments, the third region 333a of the wall 333 can at least partially define an opening 334, the opening 334 providing fluid communication between the first portion 325a and the second portion 325b of the mixing chamber 325. The third region 333c may define a path for air to flow from the first portion 325a to the second portion 325b of the chamber 325. In some embodiments, the third zone 333c may be positioned in the second portion 325b of the mixing chamber 325 to direct air toward the bottom wall of the housing 323 to create additional turbulence of the air flow within the mixing chamber 325 before the air flow rises to the exhaust openings 342.

Galley exhaust system 300 may include additional walls or tabs extending inwardly into mixing chamber 325 and positioned to create turbulence in the air flow formed by the cool air and grease-containing vapor. In some embodiments, the housing 323 can include a first sidewall 302 and a second sidewall 304, with a wall 330 or tab secured or connected to the first sidewall 302 and the second sidewall 304. The first portion 323a of the mixing chamber 325 can be positioned between the first sidewall 302 and the central wall 331, and the second portion 325b of the mixing chamber 325 is positioned between the second sidewall 304 and the central wall 331. In some embodiments, the one or more walls 330 are positioned to create turbulence of the air flow formed by the cold air and the grease-containing vapor, the one or more walls 330 including at least one (e.g., all) of: (1) one or more walls 330b-330c angled from the first sidewall 302 in the first portion 325a of the mixing chamber 325 and having a face oriented toward the top region of the mixing chamber 325, (2) one or more walls 330a angled from the central wall 331 in the first portion 325a of the mixing chamber 325 and having a face oriented toward the top region of the mixing chamber 325, (3) one or more walls 130e-130h angled from the second sidewall 304 in the second portion 325b of the mixing chamber 325 and having a face oriented toward the top region of the mixing chamber 325, (4) one or more walls 330h-330i angled from the central wall 331 in the second portion 325b of the mixing chamber 325 and having a face oriented toward the top region of the mixing chamber 325, (5) one or more walls 330h-330i positioned between the first portion 325a of the mixing chamber 325 and the second portion 325b of the one or more walls 330b-330 j and the second portion 325b of the mixing chamber 325 and having a face oriented toward the top region of the mixing chamber 325, (5) one or more walls 330b-330c positioned between the first portion 325a, and the second portion 325b of the mixing chamber 325 and/or more walls 325b, and/or the one or more walls 330j are positioned between the first portion 325a, 325b and the second portion 325b of the mixing chamber 325 b.

Fig. 3D shows a cross-sectional view of galley exhaust system 300. One or more of the walls 330 may include vortex generators. In some examples, galley exhaust system 300 has a wall 330a that extends from central wall 331 in a top area of first portion 325a of mixing chamber 325 adjacent to cold air intake ports 322 such that the flow of cold air into first portion 325a of mixing chamber intersects wall 330 a. Galley exhaust system 300 may include a wall 330b that extends from sidewall 302 into a top area of first portion 325a of mixing chamber 325 adjacent steam inlet port 312 such that the flow of grease-containing steam entering first portion 325a of mixing chamber 325 intersects wall 330 b. Galley exhaust system 300 may include a wall 330c extending from sidewall 302 into first portion 325a of mixing chamber 325 above wall 333. Galley exhaust system 300 may include a wall 330d extending from third section 333c of wall 333 into second portion 325b of mixing chamber 325. Galley exhaust system 300 may include walls 330e-330g, walls 330e-330g extending from side walls 304 into a bottom region, a central region, and a top region of second portion 325b of mixing chamber 325. Galley exhaust system 300 may include

walls

330h, 330i extending from central wall 331 into a top and central region of second portion 325b of mixing chamber 325. Galley exhaust system 300 may include a wall 330j positioned in second portion 325b of mixing chamber 325 between side wall 304 and center wall 331. Each of the walls 330a-330j may include a face angled downward from the wall to which it is attached such that grease collected on the walls 330a-330j slides from the walls 330a-330j to the bottom of the mixing chamber 325 and to the drain 335. In some embodiments, the bottom portions of walls 330a-330j are substantially perpendicular to the wall to which they are attached.

The protrusion of walls 330a-330j and wall 331 into the mixing chamber 325 is effective to create turbulence and mixing of the grease-containing vapor and the cold air entering the mixing chamber 325. When the turbulence and mixing of the grease-containing vapor and the cool air in the mixing chamber 325 occurs, the grease-containing vapor cools, causing at least a portion of the grease to fall from the grease-containing vapor, as described above. The steam may then exit the mixing chamber 325 through the exhaust opening 342, and the grease may pass through the drain 335 for collection. Although not shown in fig. 3A-3F, the galley exhaust system 300 may include a collection bin positioned below the drain 335 to collect grease separated from the grease-containing vapor.

Fig. 4A-4H are views of a galley exhaust system 400, according to an embodiment. Specifically, fig. 4A is a front isometric view of galley exhaust system 400, fig. 4B is a front isometric cross-sectional view of galley exhaust system 400, fig. 4C is a side view of galley exhaust system 400, fig. 4D is a cross-sectional view of galley exhaust system 400 taken along line 4D-4D in fig. 4C, fig. 4E is a front view of galley exhaust system 400, and fig. 4F is a cross-sectional side view of galley exhaust system 400 taken along line 4F-4F of fig. 4E, fig. 4G is a top view of galley exhaust system 400, and fig. 4H is a cross-sectional top view taken along line 4H-4H of fig. 4E. Although not shown in fig. 4A-4H, the galley exhaust system 400 may include one or more (e.g., all) of the hood 105, the steam channel 110, the sensor 111, the cold air induction system 115, the controller 117, the cold air channel 120, the exhaust channel 145, and/or the exhaust fan 150. The galley exhaust system 400 may be used or adapted for use with one or more (e.g., all) of the hood 105, the steam channel 110, the exhaust channel 145, and/or the exhaust fan 150. Unless otherwise indicated, galley exhaust system 400 may include any aspect of

galley exhaust system

100, 200, or 300, such as a material, a component, a reference temperature, a reference CFM, or the like.

In some embodiments, galley exhaust system 400 includes a housing including a first cylinder 423a, a second cylinder 423b, and a base 437 connecting first cylinder 423a and second cylinder 423 b. The first cylinder 423a and the second cylinder 423b may be positioned adjacent to each other generally longitudinally. First cylinder 423a may at least partially define a first portion 425a of a mixing chamber of galley exhaust system 400, and second cylinder 423b may define a second portion 425b of the mixing chamber of galley exhaust system 400. The first portion 425a and the second portion 425b may be substantially cylindrical. Although the housing of the galley exhaust system 400 defines the two

cylindrical portions

425a, 425b of the mixing chamber, the housing of the galley exhaust system 400 may include other shapes and configurations that define the two

cylindrical portions

425a, 425b of the mixing chamber of the galley exhaust system 400.

The base 437 can at least partially define the portion of the mixing chamber that fluidly couples the first portion 423a and the second portion 423b of the mixing chamber. In some embodiments, galley exhaust system 400 includes a vapor intake port 412 located on a top region of first cylinder 423a, the vapor intake port 412 being remote from base 437 and configured to fluidly connect first portion 325a of mixing chamber with hood 105 in the cooking or galley area. Galley exhaust system 400 may include a cool air intake port 422 on a top region of first cylinder 423a and configured to fluidly connect first portion 325a of mixing chamber with cool air intake system 115. Galley exhaust system 400 may include exhaust openings 442 on a top region of second cylinder 423b of galley exhaust system 400. The portion of the mixing chamber defined by the base 437 may narrow to a vent 435 in the base 437, the vent 435 being distal from the vent opening 342. For example, the vent 435 may be positioned at the bottom of the arcuate portion of the mixing chamber defined by the base 437.

Galley exhaust system 400 also includes one or more walls positioned to create turbulence in the airflow created by the cool air entering the mixing chamber through cool air inlet port 422 and the grease-containing vapor entering the mixing chamber through vapor inlet port 412. The one or more walls positioned to create turbulence of the airflow in the mixing chamber of the galley exhaust system 400 may include one or more walls 430a that extend into the first portion 423a of the mixing chamber and form a spiral structure that extends at least partially between the vapor intake ports 412 (and the cold air intake ports 422) and the base 437. In some embodiments, the one or more walls 430a forming the spiral structure may comprise a single continuous wall extending at least partially between the vapor inlet port 412 and the base 437. A single wall 430a may be continuously wrapped around the inner surface of first cylinder 423a to form a helix extending at least partially between vapor inlet port 412 and base 437. As shown in the cross-sectional view of fig. 4D, the helical structure formed by the wall 430a may slope downward from a distal portion of the first cylinder 423a distal to the second cylinder 423b to a central portion of the first cylinder 423a proximal to the second cylinder 423 b. In some embodiments, the one or more walls 430a forming a spiral structure may include a plurality of walls extending at least partially between the vapor intake port 412 and the base 437 to form a spiral structure. For example, the plurality of walls may form a single, two, three, etc. spiral structure that extends continuously or intermittently at least partially between the vapor inlet 412 and the base 437.

The one or more walls positioned to create turbulence of the air flow in the mixing chamber of the galley exhaust system 400 may include one or more walls 430b that extend into the second portion 423b of the mixing chamber and form a spiral structure that extends at least partially between the base 437 and the exhaust opening 442. In some embodiments, the one or more walls 430b forming the spiral structure may comprise a single continuous wall extending at least partially between the base 437 and the vent opening 442. The single wall 430b may be continuously wrapped around the inner surface of the second cylinder 423b to form a helical structure extending at least partially between the base 437 and the vent opening 442. As shown in the cross-sectional view of fig. 4D, the helical structure formed by wall 430b may slope downward from a distal portion of second cylinder 423b distal to first cylinder 423a to a central portion of second cylinder 423b proximal to first cylinder 423 a. In some embodiments, the one or more walls 430b forming a spiral structure may include a plurality of walls extending at least partially between the base 437 and the vent opening 442 to form a spiral structure. For example, the plurality of walls may form a single, two, three, etc. spiral structure that extends continuously or intermittently at least partially between the base 437 and the vent opening 442.

In some embodiments, multiple galley exhaust systems 400 may be placed in series for use with a single hood 105, similar to galley exhaust system 500 shown in fig. 5A. For example, grease-containing vapor collected by the hood may be diverted into a plurality of channels and directed to a plurality of galley exhaust systems 400 to remove grease from the grease-containing vapor. In some embodiments, the steam exhausted from the first galley exhaust system 400 may be directed to the steam intake port 412 of the second galley exhaust system 400 to provide grease-containing steam to the second galley exhaust system 400. Each galley exhaust system 400 may be associated with a dedicated or separate cold air induction system 115, or with a single cold air induction system 115 that provides cold air to multiple galley exhaust systems 400.

In operation, cold air and grease-containing vapor may enter the first portion 425a of the mixing chamber through the cold air inlet 422 and the vapor inlet port 412, respectively. The spiral structure formed by the wall 430a may create a swirling effect on the cold air and the grease-containing vapor to create an air flow from the combined cold air and grease-containing vapor. The centripetal force on the air flow created by the helical structure may also force the grease in the grease-containing vapor to adhere to the inner surface of the housing 523a. In some embodiments, the grease may then flow down the first portion 525a of the mixing chamber and into the base 437, and then through the drain 435 into a collection tank (not shown). In some embodiments, at least a portion of the base 437 can be selectively secured to the housing 423 such that the base 437 functions as a collection bin.

Fig. 5A is an isometric view of a galley exhaust system 500 having a first galley exhaust system unit 500a and a second galley exhaust system unit 500b, according to an embodiment. Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the first galley exhaust system unit 500a or the second galley exhaust system unit 500B. Although galley exhaust system 500 shown in fig. 5A includes two galley

exhaust system units

500a, 500b, in some embodiments galley exhaust system 500 may include only one galley exhaust system unit or more than two galley exhaust system units. Although not shown in fig. 5A-5B, the galley exhaust system 500 may include one or more (e.g., all) of the hood 105, the steam channel 110, the sensor 111, the cold air induction system 115, the controller 117, the cold air channel 120, the exhaust channel 145, and/or the exhaust fan 150. The galley exhaust system 500 may be used or adapted for use with one or more (e.g., all) of the hood 105, the steam channel 110, the exhaust channel 145, and/or the exhaust fan 150. Unless otherwise indicated, galley exhaust system 500 may include any aspect of

galley exhaust systems

100, 200, 300, 400, such as materials, components, reference temperatures, reference CFMs, and the like. Further, although not shown in fig. 5A-5B, galley exhaust system 500 may include one or more walls in the mixing chamber forming the spiral structure described above with respect to galley exhaust system 400.

In some embodiments, galley exhaust system 500 includes a housing 523 that at least partially defines a mixing chamber 525. The housing 523 includes one or more walls positioned to create turbulence to the air flow formed by the cool air and the grease-containing vapor. For example, the housing 523 may include one or more walls 523b of the housing 523 defining a conical or frustoconical region 525b in the mixing chamber 525. The conical region 525b may be positioned between the top and bottom regions of the mixing chamber 525. In some embodiments, the one or more walls 523b of the housing defining the conical region 525b of the mixing chamber 525 may comprise a substantially conical region of the housing 523.

The mixing chamber 525 may include a generally cylindrical region 525a at least partially defined by a portion 523a of the housing 523. The generally cylindrical region 525a of the mixing chamber 525 may be positioned adjacent to a wider end of the generally conical region 525b of the mixing chamber 525 such that the generally conical region 525b of the mixing chamber 525 narrows away from the generally cylindrical region 525a of the mixing chamber 525. In some embodiments, the portion 523a of the housing 523 defining the cylindrical region 525a of the mixing chamber 525 may be a cylindrical portion 523a of the housing 523 connected to a conical region 523b of the housing 523.

In some embodiments, the mixing chamber 525 includes an additional generally cylindrical region 525c at the narrow end of the generally conical region 525b of the mixing chamber 525. The cylindrical region 525a (or the wide end of the generally conical region 525 b) may comprise a diameter that is at least two, three, four, or five times greater than the diameter of the additional cylindrical region 525c (or the narrow end of the generally conical region 525 b). The portion 523c of the housing 523 may define an additional generally cylindrical region 525c. The portion 523c of the housing 523 defining the additional generally cylindrical region 525c may be generally cylindrical or tubular. The central axis 531 may extend through at least one (e.g., all) of the substantially conical region 525b, the substantially cylindrical region 525a, and the additional cylindrical region 525c of the mixing chamber 525.

In some embodiments, the galley exhaust system 500 includes a vapor intake port 512 located on a top region of the mixing chamber (e.g., generally cylindrical region 525 a) distal from the additional cylindrical region 525c and configured to fluidly connect the mixing chamber 525 with the hood 105 in the cooking or galley area. The galley exhaust system 500 may include a cool air intake port 522 on a top region (e.g., a generally cylindrical region 525 a) of the mixing chamber and configured to fluidly connect the mixing chamber 525 with the cool air intake system 115. In some embodiments, the vapor intake port 512 is positioned between the cool air intake port 522 and a theoretical plane extending through the central axis 531. Galley exhaust system 500 may include exhaust openings 542 on a top region of mixing chamber 525. The central axis 531 may be substantially centered within the exhaust opening 542. In some embodiments, one or more (e.g., all) of the cold air intake port 522, the steam intake port 512, and the exhaust opening 524 are positioned on a portion 523a of the housing 523 defining a cylindrical portion 525a of the mixing chamber 525 such that the cold air and the grease-containing steam enter the mixing chamber 525 in a generally cylindrical region 525a of the mixing chamber 525 and the steam exits the mixing chamber 525 through the exhaust opening 542 in the cylindrical region 525a of the mixing chamber 525.

According to an embodiment, galley exhaust system 500 also includes drain 535. The exhaust 535 may be positioned substantially away from the cold air intake port 522 and the vapor intake port 512. In some embodiments, galley exhaust system 500 includes a base 537 positioned between exhaust 535 and mixing chamber 525. The base 537 may widen from the narrow end of the additional cylindrical region 525c of the mixing chamber 525 and/or the generally conical region 525b of the mixing chamber 525. In some embodiments, the base 537 defines a collection chamber that narrows to the exhaust opening 535. For example, the base 537 may define a collection chamber having: (1) A cylindrical region adjacent to the narrow end of the additional cylindrical region 525c and/or the generally conical region 525b, and (2) a conical or narrowing region extending between the cylindrical region of the collection chamber and the discharge opening 535. The cylindrical region of the collection chamber in the base portion 537 has a diameter substantially equal to the wide end of the cylindrical region 525a and/or the conical region 525b of the mixing chamber.

In operation, cold air and grease-containing vapor may enter the mixing chamber 525 through the cold air inlet 522 and the vapor inlet port 512, respectively. The cool air and the grease-containing vapor may combine to form an air stream and, due to the shape of the mixing chamber 525, proceed from the wide end of the conical region 525b to the narrow end of the conical region 525. When the air flow reaches the narrow end of the conical region 525b, the air flow may be forced upward through the mixing chamber 525 along the axis 531 and the exhaust opening 542 through the center of the mixing chamber 525 to exit the mixing chamber 525. Grease from grease-containing vapors that are cooled as they mix with the cool air may adhere to the wall 523b defining the conical zone 525b before sliding down the wall 523b through the portion 523c and into the collection chamber of the base 537. In some embodiments, the grease may then flow through the drain 535 into a collection tank (not shown). In some embodiments, the base 537 may be selectively secured to the housing 523 such that the base 537 acts as a collection tank.

In some embodiments, multiple galley

exhaust system units

500a, 500b may be placed in series for use with a single hood 105 to form galley exhaust system 500. For example, the grease containing vapor collected by the hood 105 may be diverted into a plurality of channels and directed to a plurality of galley

exhaust system units

500a, 500b for removing grease from the grease containing vapor. In some embodiments, steam exhausted by the first galley exhaust system 500a may be directed to the steam inlet port 512 of the second galley exhaust system unit 500b to provide grease-containing steam to the second galley exhaust system unit 500 b. Each galley exhaust system 500 may be associated with a dedicated or separate cold air induction system 115, or with a single cold air induction system 115 that provides cold air to multiple galley exhaust systems 500.

Fig. 6 is a flow diagram of a method 600 for separating grease from a grease-containing vapor, according to an embodiment. Method 600 may include using any of

galley exhaust systems

100, 200, 300, 400, 500 described herein. In an embodiment, the method includes an act 610 of introducing grease containing vapor from a cooking area into a mixing chamber at least partially defined by a housing. The method 600 further includes an act 620, the act 620 introducing cold air generated by the cold air introduction system into the mixing chamber. Method 600 also includes an act 630 of separating grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the air flow formed by the cool air and the grease-containing vapor with one or more walls in the mixing chamber in act 630. Method 600 may further include an act 640 of collecting at least a portion of the grease separated from the grease-containing vapor in a collection tank below a drain at a bottom region of the mixing chamber. Method 600 may also include an act 650, act 650 of venting the vapor with at least a portion of the grease removed through a vapor vent on the mixing chamber.

In some embodiments of the method 600, the act 620 of introducing the grease containing vapor from the cooking area into the mixing chamber may include introducing the grease containing vapor from the cooking area into the mixing chamber through a funnel-shaped wall positioned at a cold air intake port on the housing. In some embodiments of the method 600, the act of introducing 610 cold air generated by the cold air introduction system into the mixing chamber may include introducing the cold air generated by the cold air introduction system into the mixing chamber through a funnel-shaped wall positioned at a vapor intake port on the housing. In some embodiments, the act 630 of separating grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the mixing chamber with one or more walls in the mixing chamber to the air flow formed by the cool air and the grease-containing vapor may comprise: grease is separated from grease-containing vapour by creating turbulence in the air flow formed by the cold air and grease-containing vapour in the mixing chamber with at least a first wall fixed to a side wall of the housing and having a face oriented towards the cold air intake port, and a second wall positioned between the cold air intake port and the side wall, the second wall having a face oriented towards the vapour intake port. For example, method 600 may include using galley exhaust system 100.

In some embodiments of method 600, the act 630 of separating grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the mixing chamber with one or more walls in the mixing chamber to create a flow of air formed by the cold air and the grease-containing vapor may comprise: grease is separated from grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the air stream formed by the cool air and the grease-containing vapor in the mixing chamber with a plurality of inner walls located in the mixing chamber to form a plurality of turns in the air stream. For example, method 600 may include using galley exhaust system 200.

In some embodiments, the method 600 may further include the act of separating grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the air flow formed by the cold air and the grease-containing vapor in a mixing chamber, wherein one or more fins are positioned in the mixing chamber. In some embodiments, the method 600 may further include the act of separating the grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the air flow formed by the cold air and the grease-containing vapor in a mixing chamber, wherein the one or more cylinders are positioned in the mixing chamber.

In some embodiments of method 600, the act 630 of separating grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the mixing chamber with one or more walls in the mixing chamber to create a flow of air formed by the cold air and the grease-containing vapor may comprise: grease is separated from grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in an air flow formed by the chilled air and grease-containing vapor in the mixing chamber with at least a first wall extending from a central wall in the mixing chamber into the first portion of the chamber and having a face oriented at least partially toward the chilled air intake port and the vapor intake port. More specifically, separating the grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the mixing chamber with one or more walls in the mixing chamber of an air flow formed by the cool air and the grease-containing vapor may include: separating grease from grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the mixing chamber of an air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-containing vapor with at least one of: (1) one or more walls angled from the first side wall in the first portion of the mixing chamber and having a face oriented toward the top zone of the mixing chamber, (2) one or more walls angled from the central wall in the first portion of the mixing chamber and having a face oriented toward the top zone of the mixing chamber, (3) one or more walls angled from the second side wall in the second portion of the mixing chamber and having a face oriented toward the top zone of the mixing chamber, and/or (4) one or more walls angled from the central wall in the second portion of the mixing chamber and having a face oriented toward the top zone of the mixing chamber. For example, method 600 may include using galley exhaust system 300.

In some embodiments of method 600, the act 630 of separating grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the mixing chamber with one or more walls in the mixing chamber to create a flow of air formed by the cold air and the grease-containing vapor may comprise: grease is separated from grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the air flow formed by the cool air and grease-containing vapor in the mixing chamber with one or more walls that extend into a first portion of the mixing chamber defined by the first cylinder and form a helix that extends at least partially between the vapor intake port on the first cylinder and the base. Method 600 may also include the following actions: grease is separated from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the air flow formed by the cool air and the grease-containing vapor in the mixing chamber with one or more walls that extend into a second portion of the mixing chamber defined by the second cylinder and form a helix that extends at least partially between the vapor vent on the second cylinder and the base. For example, method 600 may include using galley exhaust system 400.

In some embodiments of method 600, the act 630 of separating grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the mixing chamber with one or more walls in the mixing chamber to create a flow of air formed by the cold air and the grease-containing vapor may comprise: grease is separated from grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the air flow formed by the cool air and grease-containing vapor with one or more walls of a housing that define a tapered zone in the mixing chamber positioned between a top zone and a bottom zone of the mixing chamber. For example, method 600 may include using galley exhaust system 500.

In some embodiments, the method 600 may further include cooperating with the controller to generate the cold air at one or more selected CFM rates and/or selected temperatures based on one or more of a temperature of the grease containing steam or a volume of the grease containing steam. In some embodiments, the method 600 may further include the act of heating the grease separated from the grease-containing vapor with a heating element secured to the housing adjacent a base region of the mixing chamber.

The acts of method 600 described above are for illustration purposes. For example, the acts of method 600 may be performed in a different order, split into multiple acts, modified, supplemented, or combined. In embodiments, one or more acts of method 600 may be omitted from method 600. Any of the acts of method 600 may include using any of the galley exhaust systems disclosed herein.

As used herein, the term "about" or "substantially" means that the term modified by "about" or "substantially" allows for a variation of ± 10% or ± 5%. Furthermore, the terms "less than", "greater than", "more than" or "more" include, as endpoints, values modified by the terms "less than", "greater than" or "more than".

Features from any of the disclosed embodiments may be used in combination with each other without limitation. Furthermore, other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the detailed description and the accompanying drawings. While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting.

Claims

1. A galley exhaust system comprising:

a housing at least partially defining a mixing chamber and having:

a vapor inlet port adapted to be fluidly coupled to a hood that collects grease-containing vapors from a cooking area to effectively receive the grease-containing vapors from the cooking area;

a cold air inlet adapted to be fluidly coupled to a cold air intake system that generates cold air to effectively receive cold air generated by the cold air intake system;

one or more walls positioned to create a turbulence of an air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-containing vapor, wherein the turbulence of the chilled air and the air flow separates at least a portion of the grease from the grease-containing vapor;

a drain positioned at a bottom region of the mixing chamber to collect the portion of grease separated from the grease-containing vapor; and

a steam vent positioned at a top region of the mixing chamber distal from the bottom region to allow steam from which at least the portion of the grease has been removed to exit the mixing chamber.

2. The galley exhaust system according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a side wall remote from the vapor intake port, and the one or more walls positioned to create turbulence of the air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-laden vapor include at least a first wall secured to the side wall and having a face oriented toward the chilled air intake port.

3. The galley exhaust system according to claim 2, wherein the one or more walls positioned to create turbulence of the air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-laden vapor include at least a second wall positioned between the chilled air intake and the side wall, the second wall having a face oriented toward the vapor intake port.

4. The galley exhaust system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more walls positioned to create turbulence in the air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-laden vapor include a plurality of interior walls positioned in the mixing chamber to form a plurality of turns in the air flow.

5. The galley exhaust system according to claim 4, wherein at least two of the plurality of interior walls are angled toward one another to reduce a distance between the interior walls.

6. The galley exhaust system according to claim 5, further comprising one or more vanes positioned in the mixing chamber.

7. The galley exhaust system according to claim 6, further comprising one or more cylinders positioned in the mixing chamber.

8. The galley exhaust system according to claim 1, wherein:

the housing includes a central wall extending at least partially between a top region and a bottom region of the mixing chamber, the central wall separating a first portion of the mixing chamber from a second portion of the mixing chamber;

the vapor intake port and the cool air intake port are positioned in the first portion of the mixing chamber and the top region;

the discharge openings are positioned in the first portion and the bottom zone of the mixing chamber; and

the steam vent is positioned in the second portion of the mixing chamber and the top region.

9. The galley exhaust system according to claim 8, wherein the one or more walls positioned to create turbulence in the airflow formed by the chilled air and the grease-containing vapor include at least a first wall extending from the central wall into the first portion of the compartment and having a face oriented at least partially toward the chilled air intake port and the vapor intake port.

10. The galley exhaust system according to claim 9, wherein:

the central wall at least partially defines an opening that provides fluid communication between a first portion of the mixing chamber and a second portion of the mixing chamber; and

the first wall includes a first zone including a face oriented at least partially toward the cold air intake port and the vapor intake port, a second zone extending from the first zone of the first wall toward the discharge outlet in the first portion of the chamber, and a third zone extending from the second zone at least partially into the second portion of the mixing chamber, wherein the third zone includes a face oriented toward the bottom region of the mixing chamber.

11. The galley exhaust system according to claim 10, wherein:

the housing includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall, a first portion of the mixing chamber is positioned between the first sidewall and the central wall, and a second portion of the mixing chamber is positioned between the second sidewall and the central wall;

the one or more walls positioned to create turbulence of an air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-containing vapor include:

one or more walls in a first portion of the mixing chamber angled from the first side wall and having a face oriented toward a top region of the mixing chamber;

one or more walls in a first portion of the mixing chamber at an angle to the central wall and having a face oriented toward a top region of the mixing chamber;

one or more walls in a second portion of the mixing chamber angled from the second sidewall and having a face oriented toward a top region of the mixing chamber; and

one or more walls in a second portion of the mixing chamber angled from the central wall and having a face oriented toward a top region of the mixing chamber.

12. The galley exhaust system according to claim 1, wherein:

the housing includes a first housing member, a second housing member, and a base; the first housing member defines a first cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber; the second housing member defines a second cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber; the base fluidly couples the first cylinder with the second cylinder;

the vapor intake port and the cool air intake port are positioned on the first housing member generally away from the base;

the drain is positioned on the base; and

the steam vent is positioned on the second housing member generally away from the base.

13. The galley exhaust system according to claim 12, wherein the one or more walls positioned to create turbulence of the air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-laden vapor comprise: one or more walls extending into the first cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber and forming a helix extending at least partially between the vapor intake port and the base.

14. The galley exhaust system according to claim 13, wherein the one or more walls positioned to create turbulence in the air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-laden vapor comprise: one or more walls extending into the second cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber and forming a helix extending at least partially between the steam vent and the base.

15. The galley exhaust system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more walls positioned to create turbulence of the air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-laden vapor comprise: one or more walls of the housing defining a tapered zone in the mixing chamber positioned between the top zone and the bottom zone.

16. The galley exhaust system according to claim 15, wherein the housing includes a cylindrical portion defining, at least in part, a top area of the mixing chamber, the cool air intake port and the steam intake port being positioned on the cylindrical portion of the housing.

17. Galley exhaust system according to claim 16, wherein the steam vent is positioned on a cylindrical portion of the housing, wherein a central axis of the cylindrical portion of the housing and the conical region of the mixing chamber extends through the steam vent.

18. The galley exhaust system according to claim 17, wherein the vapor intake port is p between the cool air intake port and a theoretical plane formed by the central axis.

19. Galley exhaust system according to any of the claims 1-18, further comprising funnel-shaped walls positioned at the cold air intake port and angled towards each other in the compartment.

20. The galley exhaust system according to claim 19, further comprising funnel-shaped walls positioned at the vapor intake port and angled toward each other in the chamber.

21. Galley exhaust system according to any of the claims 1-18, further comprising a heating element fixed to the housing adjacent a base region of the mixing chamber.

22. The kitchen exhaust system according to any of claims 1-18, further comprising a collection tank removably positioned below the drain port to receive at least a portion of the grease removed from the grease-containing vapor.

23. The galley system according to any one of claims 1-18, further comprising the hood, steam channel, and the cool air intake system; the hood is configured to collect grease-containing vapors from the cooking area; the vapor passage provides fluid communication between the shroud and the vapor inlet port; the cold air intake system is configured to generate the cold air and is in fluid communication with the cold air intake port.

24. The galley exhaust system according to claim 23, further comprising an additional housing at least partially defining an additional mixing chamber and having:

a steam inlet port fluidly coupled to the hood to receive grease-containing steam from the cooking area;

a cold air intake fluidly coupled to a cold air induction system that generates cold air effective to receive the cold air generated by the cold air induction system;

one or more walls positioned to create turbulence in an air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-containing vapor, wherein the turbulence in the air flow separates at least a portion of the grease from the grease-containing vapor in the additional mixing chamber;

a drain positioned at a bottom region of the additional mixing chamber to collect a portion of grease separated from the grease-containing vapor in the additional mixing chamber; and

a steam vent positioned at a top region of the additional mixing chamber distal from a bottom region of the additional mixing chamber to allow steam from which at least a portion of the grease has been removed to exit the additional mixing chamber.

25. The galley exhaust system according to claim 23, wherein the chilled air is at about-20 ℃ to about 20 ℃.

26. The galley exhaust system according to claim 23, further comprising a controller operatively coupled to the chilled air induction system and configured to produce the chilled air at one or more of a selected rate of cubic feet per minute and/or a selected temperature based on one or more of a temperature of a grease-containing vapor or a volume of the grease-containing vapor.

27. A method of separating grease from a grease-containing vapor, the method comprising:

introducing a fat-containing vapor from a cooking area into a mixing chamber at least partially defined by a housing;

introducing cool air generated by a cool air introduction system into the mixing chamber;

separating grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the mixing chamber of an air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-containing vapor with one or more walls in the mixing chamber;

collecting at least a portion of the grease separated from the grease-containing vapor in a collection bin below a drain at a bottom region of the mixing chamber; and

discharging the vapor with at least a portion of the grease removed through a vapor vent on the mixing chamber.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein introducing grease containing vapor from a cooking area into a mixing chamber comprises introducing the grease containing vapor from the cooking area into the mixing chamber through a funnel-shaped wall positioned at a cold air intake port on the housing.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein introducing cold air generated by a cold air introduction system into the mixing chamber comprises introducing the cold air generated by the cold air introduction system into the mixing chamber through a funnel wall positioned at a vapor intake port on the housing.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein separating the grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in an air flow formed by the cold air and the grease-containing vapor in the mixing chamber with one or more walls in the mixing chamber comprises: separating the grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in an air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-containing vapor in the mixing chamber with at least a first wall fixed to a side wall of the housing and having a face oriented toward the chilled air intake port and a second wall positioned between the chilled air intake port and the side wall, the second wall having a face oriented toward the vapor intake port.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein separating the grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in an air flow formed by the cold air and the grease-containing vapor in the mixing chamber with one or more walls in the mixing chamber comprises: separating grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the mixing chamber of an air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-containing vapor with a plurality of inner walls positioned in the mixing chamber to form a plurality of turns in the air flow.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising separating grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the mixing chamber of the air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-containing vapor with one or more fins positioned in the mixing chamber.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising separating grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the mixing chamber of the air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-containing vapor with one or more cylinders positioned in the mixing chamber.

34. The method of claim 27, wherein separating grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in an air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-containing vapor in the mixing chamber with one or more walls in the mixing chamber comprises: separating grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the mixing chamber of an air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-containing vapor with at least a first wall extending from a central wall in the mixing chamber into a first portion of the chamber and having a face oriented at least partially toward a chilled air intake port and a vapor intake port.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein separating grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in an air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-containing vapor in the mixing chamber with one or more walls in the mixing chamber comprises: separating grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the mixing chamber of an air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-containing vapor by:

one or more walls angled from a first sidewall in a first portion of the mixing chamber and having a face oriented toward a top region of the mixing chamber;

one or more walls angled from a second sidewall in a second portion of the mixing chamber and having a face oriented toward a top region of the mixing chamber; and

one or more walls in a second portion of the mixing chamber at an angle to the central wall and having a face oriented toward a top region of the mixing chamber.

36. The method of claim 27, wherein separating grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in an air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-containing vapor in the mixing chamber with one or more walls in the mixing chamber comprises: separating the grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the mixing chamber of an air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-containing vapor with one or more walls that extend into a first portion of the mixing chamber defined by a first cylinder and form a helix that extends at least partially between a vapor inlet port on the first cylinder and a base.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising: separating the grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the mixing chamber of an air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-containing vapor with one or more walls that extend into a second portion of the mixing chamber defined by the second cylinder and form a helix extending at least partially between a vapor vent on the second cylinder and the base.

38. The method of claim 27, wherein separating grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in an air flow formed by the chilled air and the grease-containing vapor in the mixing chamber with one or more walls in the mixing chamber comprises: separating the grease from the grease-containing vapor by creating turbulence in the mixing chamber of an air flow formed by the cool air and the grease-containing vapor with one or more walls of the housing that define a conical zone in the mixing chamber positioned between a top zone and a bottom zone of the mixing chamber.

39. The method of any one of claims 27 to 38, wherein the cold air is at about-20 ℃ to about 20 ℃.

40. The method of any one of claims 27 to 38, further comprising generating the cold air at one or more of a selected rate of cubic feet per minute and/or a selected temperature in cooperation with a controller based on one or more of a temperature of the grease containing steam or a volume of the grease containing steam.

41. The method of any one of claims 27 to 38, further comprising heating the grease separated from the grease-containing vapor using a heating element secured to the housing adjacent a base region of the mixing chamber.